Thunking/knocking after diff drop and OME kit

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MPG LOL

MPG LOL

Joined
Feb 27, 2017
Threads
5
Messages
46
Location
Boise, ID
I installed the Slee diff drop, OME shocks and TBs, and SPC UCAs. Since then, I have noticed a significant knocking, clunking, metal on metal rapping coming from DS front end. Actually, it was before the UCAs went on. I can feel it in the floorboard and clearly hear it if the windows are down. It is VERY noticeable when rolling over uneven terrain (farm field).

I have checked everything. Nothing is loose, broken, or otherwise out of place. I can't recreate it in the garage either. I do know that this problem was NOT there before the diff drop and suspension upgrades.

I have a trip planned in 2 weeks and need to get this sorted out ASAP. Please help!
 
Have you ever ridden in a "known good" OME lifted setup? I have, and I was suprised at how harsh and noisy it was. That banging noise just might be normal. Or not! Haven't heard your particular knock. Certainly the truck I rode in was very loud over bumps.
 
How does your down travel look? Are you getting approximately 50mm?

What happens if you dial the T-bars back?
 
I have nearly an identical set up in the front as you , Slee diff drop, Slee remote reservoirs, OME T-bars and aftermarket UCA's.

And I also discovered a loud thunk/clunk when I took it off-road for the first time a few days ago, although the sound was coming from the passenger side for me. I'm still investigating so I don't have any answers or suggestions , but if I find anything I'll pass it along to you.

My first reaction upon hearing the noise was to be alarmed but I was thinking "maybe this is normal" as well...

edit: I'm also thinking it might be from hitting the bump stops? But that's just a guess...
 
When I installed my diff drop I had a clunk develop afterwards. I went back under and tightened the bolts about 1 turn more each and that solved my clunk. It's been a year and still no clunk.
 
vman07 said:
What bolts did you tighten? thanks...
Click to expand...
Originally I torqued all of the the bolts to the specs supplied with the slee diff drop. I went back in afterward and tightened ALL of the diff drop bolts more. I think it was the bolts going through the horizontal bushings that solved the issue but I can't be certain because I tighten them all
 
ga12r1 said:
Originally I torqued all of the the bolts to the specs supplied with the slee diff drop. I went back in afterward and tightened ALL of the diff drop bolts more. I think it was the bolts going through the horizontal bushings that solved the issue but I can't be certain because I tighten them all
Click to expand...

I'm going to check these bolts when I get home on Thursday. I also ordered new parts to freshen up the sway bar. Thinking maybe that is loose and knocking into something... can't be sure though.
 
vman07 said:
I have nearly an identical set up in the front as you , Slee diff drop, Slee remote reservoirs, OME T-bars and aftermarket UCA's.

And I also discovered a loud thunk/clunk when I took it off-road for the first time a few days ago, although the sound was coming from the passenger side for me. I'm still investigating so I don't have any answers or suggestions , but if I find anything I'll pass it along to you.

My first reaction upon hearing the noise was to be alarmed but I was thinking "maybe this is normal" as well...

edit: I'm also thinking it might be from hitting the bump stops? But that's just a guess...
Click to expand...

Bump stops look good and the noise definitely sounds like metal on metal... the rubber seems like it would make a "softer" sound.

I thought it could be normal but it is definitely getting worse the more I drive. It feels like someone is tapping the floorboard with a hammer.
 
Ohthetrees said:
Have you ever ridden in a "known good" OME lifted setup? I have, and I was suprised at how harsh and noisy it was. That banging noise just might be normal. Or not! Haven't heard your particular knock. Certainly the truck I rode in was very loud over bumps.
Click to expand...

The ride definitely got stiffer/noisier but this sound is not normal. I mentioned in another post but it sounds and feels like someone is hitting the floorboard with a hammer. Only occurring on the DS too.
 
ga12r1 said:
When I installed my diff drop I had a clunk develop afterwards. I went back under and tightened the bolts about 1 turn more each and that solved my clunk. It's been a year and still no clunk.
Click to expand...

When you installed the diff drop, did you have any issues getting the front mounting bolt (the one that is horizontal instead of vertical to line up with the Slee crossmember? I had to use the jack to lift the differential up and then a clamp to pull it into place to get the bolt through... Maybe I screwed up some alignment by doing that?
 
MPG LOL said:
The ride definitely got stiffer/noisier but this sound is not normal. I mentioned in another post but it sounds and feels like someone is hitting the floorboard with a hammer. Only occurring on the DS too.
Click to expand...
Really only three things on the front that could have changed/be loose. Front diff, loose shock, or loose torsion bar mount on lca. Unless you installed the shock loose or wrong I bet it's a loose/shifting front diff.
 
elk said:
How does your down travel look? Are you getting approximately 50mm?

What happens if you dial the T-bars back?
Click to expand...

Down travel is at 60+mm. I actually had to crank up the bar on the DS after doing the lift. It's still about .25" lower than the PS but I'm nearly out of threads on the DS. Plenty of threads left on the PS.

FWIW, when I was originally installing the Tbars, on the finally adjustment and lowering the front end off the jack, the DS made two very loud popping sounds as it was settling back down on the wheels. Doesn't look like anything is broken but I'm now wondering why there is so much thread left on the PS and nearly none left on the DS.
 
ga12r1 said:
Really only three things on the front that could have changed/be loose. Front diff, loose shock, or loose torsion bar mount on lca. Unless you installed the shock loose or wrong I bet it's a loose/shifting front diff.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'm going to check all these things when I get back to the truck on Thursday. Will report back with (hopefully) the solution.
 
Just my two cents, The OME setup can be so harsh, coupled with high tyre psi can often destroy a strut mount. That is what happened to me on my 80 series. When I upgraded to my LX I made sure to go with Tough Dog for softness.
 
I have the exact same problem with my tough dog kit. On the DS side i hear and feel somthing knocking against the floor when driving bad roads.
 
Parbo said:
I have the exact same problem with my tough dog kit. On the DS side i hear and feel somthing knocking against the floor when driving bad roads.
Click to expand...
How are your swayer bushings? If they're original, I'll bet that's what you're hearing now.
 
FWIW, when I was originally installing the Tbars, on the finally adjustment and lowering the front end off the jack, the DS made two very loud popping sounds as it was settling back down on the wheels. Doesn't look like anything is broken but I'm now wondering why there is so much thread left on the PS and nearly none left on the DS.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you just have your T-bars indexed differently. You can re-index the drivers side and that will give you the same or more adjustment with the T-bar depending on how you index it.
 
Have you tried contacting the vendor where you purchased the kit from and ask them for some guidance?

Check the front diff support bushing (the arm with bushing), check the diff support pucks, LCA ball joints & bushings. Check swaybar bushings and link bushings (which should have been replaced during your lift)

You shouldn't be out of adjustment space on DS after installing new TBs- somethings not right there: either cranked up too high or not correctly indexed.

Please post you lift measurements- hub center or rim edge to fender lip.
 
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